Bolt mismatched?
- Thread starter badbrass
- Start date
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Headspace can be out just the same as a centerfire rifle
Generally, a bolt should be original to the rifle. However, there is almost no way of telling that the bolt in your .22 rifle is the original one that came from the factory, unless the firearm is in it's original factory box. In over 60 years of shooting, I think I have seen less than a dozen rifles that had a number on the bolt, and most of them were of Foreign make.
There can be headspace problems, the same as with a centerfire rifle. However, due to the lower pressures involved with the .22 rimfire, more "generous" tolerances, especially in older rifles, seem to be common. Newly made firearms seem to be of better quality control.
Many of the replacement bolts were made just a hair oversize in the areas where they lock up --- mostly the bolt handle that is used to lock the bolt. The root of the bolt handle sometimes required a couple of swipes with a file by a gunsmith to fit it properly. I have also seen bolts in rifles so loose that the cases bulged and split when fired.
Some of the older, cheaper, "Boy's" rifles were made from questionable steel and designs, and mass produced to sell for a few dollars. The "Brand" name manufacturers such as Winchester, Remington, and such produced a bit better quality product.
We encounter Military rifles with mismatched bolts quite frequently. In most cases, these still work out all right BUT before firing something like that it should be checked by a competent gunsmith. The same goes for a .22 rifle. A split case or a burst rim caused by a sharp firing pin can blow bits of brass, unburned powder and dirt back into your face and eyes. It is always best to be a bit cautious.
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There can be headspace problems, the same as with a centerfire rifle. However, due to the lower pressures involved with the .22 rimfire, more "generous" tolerances, especially in older rifles, seem to be common. Newly made firearms seem to be of better quality control.
Many of the replacement bolts were made just a hair oversize in the areas where they lock up --- mostly the bolt handle that is used to lock the bolt. The root of the bolt handle sometimes required a couple of swipes with a file by a gunsmith to fit it properly. I have also seen bolts in rifles so loose that the cases bulged and split when fired.
Some of the older, cheaper, "Boy's" rifles were made from questionable steel and designs, and mass produced to sell for a few dollars. The "Brand" name manufacturers such as Winchester, Remington, and such produced a bit better quality product.
We encounter Military rifles with mismatched bolts quite frequently. In most cases, these still work out all right BUT before firing something like that it should be checked by a competent gunsmith. The same goes for a .22 rifle. A split case or a burst rim caused by a sharp firing pin can blow bits of brass, unburned powder and dirt back into your face and eyes. It is always best to be a bit cautious.
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With so little information the question is hypothetical!
What does mismatched mean? Does it have the serial number engraved and that differs from the rifle?
Do you have two Brno's and do not know which bolt belongs to which rifle?
How is it mismatched?
Have you taken it to a gunsmith to correct the problem?
Sorry, I am jumping ahead: What is the problem?
I have two CZ452's and never thought of "mismatching" the bolts.
Well I don't think there is a problem! It is warm enough to go shooting in Alberta, so I hit the range, only shot it at 25 yds with iron sights. But only found one little hole for a 5 shot string after sighting in the rifle. Brass as far as I can tell looks great. Trigger is slick, nice!
